The College of Cardinals announces that all 133 Cardinal electors participating in the upcoming conclave have the right to vote for the new Pope.

The Holy See Press Office released a declaration prepared by the Cardinals gathered in the General Congregation on Wednesday.

The declaration specifies that all Cardinal electors present in the conclave have the right to vote for the new Pope.

The Cardinals note that paragraph 33 of the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, which governs the conclave, allows 120 Cardinals to vote.

However, they say, the late Pope Francis dispensed with that numerical limit by creating more than 120 Cardinals under the age of 80.

Therefore, declare the Cardinals, “the Cardinals exceeding the set limit have acquired, in accordance with paragraph 36 of the same Apostolic Constitution, the right to elect the Roman Pontiff, from the moment of their creation and publication.”

In the same note, the Cardinals express their appreciation to Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu for deciding not to participate in the conclave that begins on May 7.

“The Congregation has taken note that he, having at heart the good of the Church and in order to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, has communicated his decision not to participate in it,” says the declaration.

The Cardinals add their hopes that the “competent juridical bodies may definitively ascertain the facts,” regarding the corruption case against Cardinal Becciu.

By Vatican News